The House voted 265-159 Tuesday to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program despite a veto threat from President Bush, who proposed a $5 billion increase. The bill would expand the program by $35 billion over the next five years. The current program covers 6.6 million children from low-income families that aren't poor enough to qualify for Medicaid. An estimated 9 million children are uninsured.

Hawai'i votes:

Neil Abercrombie (D) YEAMazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

2. Flood Insurance Reform

The House voted 263-146 Thursday to pass reforms strengthening the flood insurance program after Hurricane Katrina depleted funding. The legislation would extend through 2013 the 40-year-old program that provides affordable insurance to homeowners and imposes building requirements to reduce flood damage. The bill drew a veto threat from the White House for provisions to cover wind damage.

Hawai'i votes:

Neil Abercrombie (D) YEAMazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

KEY SENATE VOTES

1. Iraq Partition Amendment

The Senate voted 75-23 Wednesday to pass a nonbinding resolution supporting the partition of Iraq into three areas; the north for the Kurds, the south for the Shiites and the west for the Sunni. Sen. Joe Biden's measure would have the three "federal regions" supported by a weak central government in Baghdad that distributes oil revenues. The resolution will be added to the defense spending bill.

Hawai'i Votes:

Daniel Akaka (D) YEADaniel K. Inouye (D) YEA

2. State Children's Health Insurance Program

The Senate passed, 67-29, the State Children's Health Insurance Program expansion Thursday, setting up a veto showdown with the White House. The $35 billion expansion would be financed by a tobacco tax increase. The Senate's vote margin is enough to override a veto but the House is still short votes.

Hawai'i Votes:

Daniel Akaka (D) YEADaniel K. Inouye (D) YEA

WHAT'S AHEAD

The Senate will complete the $648 billion defense authorization bill before taking up two appropriations bills covering spending for Justice, Commerce and NASA and a $459 billion defense appropriations bill. The House begins with a pair of Iraq bills before moving to a bill aimed to help struggling homeowners by changing the tax law and another attempting to give inspectors general more independence.